Romney Takes Lead in VP Derby

Blogger runs down likely veep candidates for Obama and McCain

(NEWSER) - “Since McCain and Obama appear to have the nominations locked up,” it's time to start eyeing the veepstakes, Chris Cillizza writes in The Fix blog. Here are his top three for each presumptive nominee, GOP first:

1. Tim Pawlenty: The Minnesota governor is a longtime McCain backer, and widely admired.
2. John Thune: A handsome conservative who also beat then-senator Tom Daschle 4 years ago.
3. Rob Portman: From Ohio, a crack economist, and not well-known—which could actually be a good thing.

Clinton, McCain seeing millions in post-NH fund-raising bounces

(NEWSER) - Mitt Romney bagged $5 million in donations yesterday, and aides called the more than 10,000 contributions a “solid affirmation of support” for the second-place New Hampshire finisher, the Boston Herald reports. The candidate said the donation bonanza showed “a continued belief” that he’s the only Republican who can win in November, the Los Angeles Times adds. More»

(NEWSER) - The $35 million Hillary Clinton has on hand for her primary campaign edges out the $32 million in Barack Obama’s coffers, according to financial reports acquired by the AP. But both have almost three times the money of any other campaign—Rudy Giuliani leads Republicans with just $11.6 million, less than third-place Democrat John Edwards. More»

Top candidates have grabbed twice the dough of GOP hopefuls

(NEWSER) - The Republican Party could be at a significant financial disadvantage when next year’s presidential race begins in earnest, according to Politico's Jeanne Cummings. The leading Democratic White House hopefuls have raised $200 million since January—twice what their Republican counterparts have garnered. The trend extends beyond the presidential race with Democrats raising more than Republicans across the board. More»

And Newt Gingrich fights for money from anyone

(NEWSER) - Fundraising is the name of the game right now, and the Washington Post and New York Times today take a look at how the big-name contenders are faring.

• The Post checks in on the battle for the richest of the rich, and it's a Mitt Romney vs. Barack Obama affair. Thus far, Romney is wooing more one-percenters, with at least 42 billionaires contributing to his campaign; Obama has racked up 30 so far. Romney's most noteworthy supporters include Redskins owner Dan Snyder and publisher Sam Zell; in Obama's corner stand Progressive insurance company chairman Peter Lewis and Google's Eric Schmidt. Since big-money donors can give unlimited amounts to super PACs, the Post predicts that a billionaire will, in this cycle, top the current giving record: the $24 million George Soros spent in support of Kerry in 2004.